NBA Expert Picks For Friday, Jan. 27

NBA Picks, Predictions

Another day of NBA action means another day of tough decisions for bettors. To help you make the best bets today, the BetQL editors have picked a few of their favorite NBA bets below using key trends, data and picks from the BetQL NBA model.

One trend to note is that the BetQL NBA model is red-hot, going 31-14 (69%) on all picks rated ⭐⭐⭐ and higher in the last three days for a total return of $689 on $100 bets! Take advantage of BetQL's free trial and see all of today's best NBA bets, plus what the model is projecting for this week's NFL, NHL, and NCAA basketball games! Start your free trial today!

Kate Constable: Bucks 1Q -3 at Pacers

The Pacers have been really bad in the first quarter all season, but especially bad since Tyrese Halliburton has been out. At 14-25 ATS on the season, they are the worst team at covering first-quarter spreads by a large margin. They’re also 0-5 ATS in the first quarter over their last five home games. The Bucks rank eighth in the league in first-quarter points with 30.9 over their last 10 games while the Pacers are dead last with only 25.4. I am only going to bet this if Giannis Antetokounmpo plays, so be sure to check the injury report before placing any wager.

Lucy Burdge: Thunder -1 vs. Cavaliers

The Thunder are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games, and have covered in five of their last seven at home to push their home record to 15-9 ATS on the season. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are just 9-14 ATS on the road this season and could be without Donovan Mitchell (groin) again. With Mitchell likely not at 100 percent even if he does play and the Cavs playing the second game of a back-to-back, I like the Thunder to cover this spread at home tonight.

Dan Karpuc: Magic +8 at Heat

Orlando has covered the spread in six of its last seven games and in eight of the last 11 road contests heading into this matchup. After dealing with multiple early-season injuries, the Magic have regained their depth and are one of the most difficult teams to match up against due to that. Paolo Banchero is going to be the Rookie of the Year; Franz Wagner and Markelle Fultz have both taken steps forward, as has Wendell Carter; Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony are sparks off the bench in the backcourt as are Bol Bol, Mo Bamba and Mo Wagner in the frontcourt; Elite defender Jonathan Isaac and veteran Gary Harris are also both going to be in the rotation. That’s a lot of depth! If they maintain their health, I expect the Magic to make some noise and I don’t trust the Heat whatsoever, even if Jimmy Butler (back) returns tonight. Miami has been too inconsistent all year long.

Brad Pinkerton: Magic-Heat +135 One-Game Parlay

BetMGM NBA OGP Insurance Play of the Day

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Here is my play for today, switching up the strategy slightly to remove spreads from the equation: Find a comfortable favorite of 5-8 points, preferably at home, take the favorite to go over its lowest team total, the 'dog to go under its highest team total and then "middle" the game total (can only lose a maximum of one leg there). There's less reward than trying to middle both the total and spread, but there's also less risk here and still a good shot at getting insurance if it doesn't hit. You can apply this strategy to any NBA game, any night:

Magic-Heat Over 209.5
Magic-Heat Under 229.5
Heat Over 103.5
Magic Under 115.5
OGP odds: +135

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MORE NBA: TODAY’S BETTING GUIDE | TOP PLAYER PROPS

Take advantage of BetQL's free trial and see all of today's best NBA bets, plus what the model is projecting for this week's NFL, NHL and NCAA basketball games! Start your free trial today!